AIDS Walk New York

AIDS Walk New York Achieves Fundraising Record with Help from Blackbaud Sphere™

The AIDS Walk New York began in 1985 and is now the largest AIDS fundraiser in the world. Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $105 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area. In 2008 alone, 45,000 participants, many of whom were members of 2,450 corporate and community teams, raised a record sum of over $7 million for Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) and 50 other local AIDS service organizations. GMHC is the world's most comprehensive provider of AIDS services for men, women, and children.

The Challenge:

• MZA Events, a Blackbaud partner and founder of AIDS Walk New York, wanted to enhance the online component of its fundraising strategies through grassroots marketing efforts.
• For MZA Events, it was essential to have the ability to view total funds raised in real-time. Additionally, the organization wanted to be able to view event, team, and personal totals in real-time.
• AIDS Walk New York has become the world’s largest AIDS fundraiser.

The Solution:

• Sphere® Events™ powered by Friends Asking Friends® provided walkers with the tools to effectively use the Internet to raise money for the AIDS Walk New York.
• The administrative tools in Sphere Events gave MZA access to data and the reporting it needed to successfully support the organization’s event and marketing strategies.

The Results:

• In 2008, more than 45,000 participants helped raise a record $7 million, with $5.4 million raised online.
• Since 2002, the organization has increased online donations 552 percent.
• Walk participants have sent over 264,000 emails to donors — an average of $26.74 was raised per email.